Bowlby's theory of attachment Flashcards
What does Bowlby suggest
Attachment is innate and gives an evolutionary survival advantage
How are attachments adaptive(A01)
Gives species adaptive advantage through being fed/looked after allowing them to survive
What are social releasers(A01)
Innate cute behaviours that encourage attention from adults e.g smiling, eye contact
What is the critical period
Attachment must be formed within 2 1/2 years
Child will suffer if maternally deprived(delinquency, reduced intelligence, increased aggression)
What is monotropy
Babies form one special attachment(usually the mother)
Babies wish to be in close proximity to this special attachment
Babies also use this special caregiver as a secure base
What is the internal working model
Schema - mental representation of a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver
Schema is used as a template for future relationship
Continuity hypothesis - Babies strongly attached in infancy will be social and emotionally competent in the future
What is the external research that supports Bowlby’s theory(A03)/counter to supporting research
Hazan and Shaver - Love quiz assessing adult emotional relationships
Results show poor quality infancy leads to bad quality relationships in the future(continuity hypothesis)
Prone to social desirability(counter)
What is the evidence that refutes Bowlby’s theory(A03)
Schaffer and Emerson - longitudinal study on 60 Glasgow babies/families
Refutes monotropy
Collectivist cultures may cause babies to form multiple attachments first
What factors does Bowlby’s theory not take into account(A03)
Kagan - Temperament is important in relationships
Temperament = genetically influenced personality
Doesn’t take into account temperament
Refutes internal working model
Issues and debates for Bowlby’s theory of attachment
Nature vs Nurture
Attachments are adaptive and provide an innate ability to survive(Nature)
However, not all elements of Bowlby’s theory support nature
Monotropy requires outside interaction(Nurture)
